iTunes Review

Daryl Hall & John Oates’ sophomore album crystallized the duo’s blend of Philly soul and coffeehouse folk. Produced and arranged by Atlantic studio guru Arif Mardin, Abandoned Luncheonette is an immaculate demonstration of playing and engineering. Mardin used only the best studio players, including drummer Bernard Purdie, guitarist Hugh McCracken, and organist Pat Rebillot. The seamless instrumental blend in “Had I Known You Better Then” and “Las Vegas Turnaround (The Stewardess Song)” runs over the listener’s ears like a warm stream of water. Oates wrote folk songs but made them as suave and sexy as something by Al Green —“I’m Just a Kid (Don’t Make Me Feel Like a Man)” might be the finest falsetto duet this side of Prince. Meanwhile, Daryl Hall was an amazing singer who understood how to inject R&B drama into a sweet pop song, as exemplified by the album’s big hit, “She’s Gone.” The album’s most underrated quality is Hall’s talents as a writer. With a keen wit and eye for detail, the title song lays out a lifetime of love and disappointment in few well-crafted stanzas.

Customer Reviews

One of their best ever.....

by
delgapbruce

This one one of the earliest and still one of their best ever. Caught them on HDNET concert at the Troubadour and they played a few of these great songs. Still have my vinyl copy and this is a must for every H&O afficiando.

One of the great duos of the rock era.

by
Salty Bill

Wonderful album with distinctive "soft-rock" songs and soulful flair. A pleasure to listen to on your JBLs on a weekend morning. Enjoy!

Simply GREAT

by
Sonic Satori

An AMAZING record, and if you're a fan of Hall & Oates, and you don't own this - GET IT NOW. Produced, and arranged by the legendary Arif Mardin (who not only won many Grammies, but also a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award) - this is an amazing blend of super-talented people, getting together and making music for the soul.

Biography

Formed: 1972 in Philadelphia, PA

Genre: Pop

Years Active: '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

From their first hit in 1974 through their heyday in the '80s, Daryl Hall and John Oates' smooth, catchy take on Philly soul brought them enormous commercial success -- including six number one singles and six platinum albums. Hall & Oates' music was remarkably well constructed and produced; at their best, their songs were filled with strong hooks and melodies that adhered to soul traditions without being a slave to them, incorporating elements of new wave and hard rock. Daryl Hall began performing...